According to reports Apple’s latest patent includes a new shape shifting technology – bringing the future of smartphone, and other industry related devices, into our hands today.

The patent was filed on the 24th June and, if all goes to plan, could see Apple take yet another advantage over their competitors.

The technology will enable Apple to create 3D feeling shapes from a flat surface and could see a physical keypad being introduced on future iPhone, iPod and iPad models. According to the patent;

“The user interface can have a shape changeable surface that can selectively alter according to an input so as to provide changeable topography of the user interface. The surface can include individual nodes that can raise above or lower below the initial surface. Alternatively, the surface can include a shape changeable material that can change the shape of portions thereof into discrete shapes above or below the initial surface.”

The patent also states:

“Alternatively, the surface can include a deformable material that can deform portions thereof into discrete forms above or below the initial surface. The changeable topography can define different user interface layouts. The user interface can, for example, be associated with input and/or output devices, such as touch pads, touch screens, and the like.”

The shape shifting technology will therefore change the look, function and physical form of a device to match what you need it to be whilst making any controls disappear once you do not require them.

This could see a number of concepts appear such as a physical keyboard on the iPad which, as Jack Purcher from Patently Apple states:

“…would have the feel of a true physical keyboard and yet vanish when you’re done typing a memo, email and so on.”

Whereas further utilization could see physical game controls within apps and improving device usage amongst disabled or physically impaired users who may benefit from tangible input elements which could be easier to interact with.

See the video below for an example of how this technology could work:

How do you see this technology being used?